Sudanese President Meets African High-Level Panel Chairperson

Khartoum, President of Sudan Omar Al Bashir met here on Tuesday with the Chairman of the African High-Level Panel Thabo Mbeki.

The meeting tackled issues of common concern.

During the meeting, Al Bashir urged Mbeki to put pressure on the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement � North (SPLM�N) to show spirit of responsibility and join the peace efforts.

For his part, Mbeki said that the meeting had discussed seizing hostilities, issues related to humanitarian aid, and the two areas (Blue Nile – South Kordofan).

The African official also met with the Sudanese President’s Assistant Ibrahim Mahmoud Hamed and the head of Darfur Peace Bureau Amin Hassan Omar, who expressed the Sudanese Government readiness to resume negotiations through the African Union’s mediation.

Mbeki is set to hold meetings with representatives of political parties and civil society organizations to explore their views on the issues handled by the African High-Level Panel.